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Nursery at Hunter Hall School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Friday forest sessions and specialist lessons give Hunter Hall’s nursery a day that reaches beyond its classroom. This is the school’s own provision at Frenchfield, on the edge of Penrith, within a campus of converted nineteenth-century farm buildings in the Eden Valley.
From September 2026, the nursery welcomes two-year-olds alongside its older pre-school children. Availability for this younger intake is limited. The extension matters for families seeking an earlier start in the same school setting, although the arrangements for older children should not automatically be assumed to apply to the new age group.
Children’s interests help shape the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines developing language, physical skills and relationships with early reading, mathematics and creative exploration. Adults guide activities while also making room for children to choose, investigate and follow their own ideas. That gives play a learning purpose.
Inside, the Foundation Stage Unit has been adapted for young children; outside, play areas sit beside woodland. Learning uses both environments. Friday brings forest sessions, while specialist teachers lead music, French and PE each week. These give children different ways to explore sound, movement and language alongside their classroom activities.
In February 2025, early-years teaching was responsive to individual children: assessments helped staff adjust activities, and purposeful tasks developed understanding of numbers, letters and sounds. Adults modelled conversation to build children’s communication. Social learning also included practising turn-taking and ways to resolve disagreements, so learning to participate with others formed part of the day alongside early academic skills.
Familiar staff work across the different attendance patterns, giving children continuity when their sessions vary. In February 2025, early-years staff understood their key-person responsibilities and supported children’s wellbeing. Appropriate staffing ratios were maintained, medicines were handled correctly, and early-years staff had paediatric first-aid qualifications.
Settling starts with time to become familiar with the setting. Pre-school tasters generally last a couple of hours, and the school recommends at least two sessions each week to help friendships and confidence develop. Staff share observations and progress information with parents. Where additional needs arise, activities are adapted to the child, with parental permission sought before involving other professionals. School dinners are available during the lunch period and carry an additional charge.
Safeguarding oversight. ISI’s inspection of 11 to 13 February 2025 identified shortcomings in recruitment checks, their recording and safeguarding induction for visiting staff and contractors, including unmet EYFS requirements. At the progress monitoring inspection on 10 October 2025, ISI found that all the relevant standards it considered were met, with the required checks recorded correctly and induction arrangements in place. Those later findings address the specific regulatory concerns; they are not a nursery grade.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception application requirements, any priority for nursery children and deadlines directly with the school.
Transition support is a different matter from admission. Nursery staff work with parents and pass current information to the next teachers, helping them understand a child’s needs before the move. This practical handover supports continuity of care and learning.
Two morning options run from 8.15am or 9am to noon. Lunch occupies noon to 1pm, followed by an afternoon session from 1pm to 3pm. After school club runs until 4.30pm. Early birds club starts at 7.45am, and Twilight birds club extends care to 5.30pm. Additional sessions can be arranged through prior discussion.
For three-year-olds, the school describes a universal funded allowance of up to 15 hours weekly from the term after the third birthday, with another 15 hours for eligible families. Applications for the extended allowance must be made in the preceding term. Early birds and Twilight birds are charged separately and cannot use funded hours; school dinners also cost extra. Contact the school for current charges.
Enquiries and visit appointments can be made through the contact form, by calling 01768 891291 or by emailing office@hunterhall.cumbria.sch.uk.
The nursery welcomes two-year-olds from September 2026, with limited availability for that intake.
Children use outdoor learning and play areas beside woodland, with forest sessions every Friday.
The school accepts the universal 15-hour allowance for three-year-olds from the term after their third birthday and the additional 15 hours for eligible families. Early birds and Twilight birds cannot be paid for with funded hours.
No. Confirm Reception application requirements, any priority for nursery children and deadlines directly with the school.
Use the school’s contact form, call 01768 891291 or email office@hunterhall.cumbria.sch.uk to request an appointment.
